Dr. Millie Das
Millie Das, M.D
From High School to Med School
Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology
Associate Program Director, Oncology Fellowship, Stanford University (2015 - Present)
Chief, Oncology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (2015 - Present)
What type of student were you in high school?
"I went to a public high school in Massachusetts. I was always a persistent and driven student. In terms of school involvement, I played on the field hockey team, was the president of NHS through which I ran several volunteer projects, and volunteered at a local nursing home. Although I was quite busy doing all of these things, I remember being quite passionate about all of these extracurricular pursuits. In the end, they helped me discover my passion for helping others."
What fueled your passion for medicine?
" From a young age I knew I wanted to pursue medicine. I remember when I went to doctor's appointments as a child where I was fascinated by how my pediatrician could help people feel better and really have an impact on their well being. Later on, talking to other practicing physicians, I could see how much they loved their work and this helped grow my interest in medicine and sustain it throughout high school and into college. "
What was the most valuable aspect about your undergrad experience?
" I made sure to pursue a broad level of undergraduate studies. I would advise aspiring physicians to not solely focus on majoring in biology. Making sure you explore your varied interests in college is critical in discovering what you are passionate about. It also allows you to become a more well rounded individual and to develop a love for learning, something that is imperative to being a physician."
What is your advise to aspiring doctors?
" Remember to be persistent and not let past failure prohibit your decisions. Have drive and commit to your endeavors. Pursue what puts a smile on your face and don't let anybody discourage you. Part of being a physician is being able to deal with adverse problems and using your knowledge to try and solve the problem. There will be times in which you don't know the solution, however this is critical in your development! Work hard and good luck!
Education
Fellowship: Stanford University Hematology and Oncology Fellowship (2001) CA
Board Certification: Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine (2011)
Residency: Stanford University Hospital -Clinical Excellence Research Center (2007) CA
Internship: Stanford University Hospital -Clinical Excellence Research Center (2005) CA
Medical Education: University of Massachusetts Medical Center (2004)MA
B.S. in Biology, Minor in Literature Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2000)MA
Honors and Awards
2001- UMass Medical School Pathways Program Recipient
2004 - John S. Efstathiou Award for compassion, caring, and understanding in the care of patients and their families
2010 - Henzl-Gabor Travel Fellowship recipient
2010 - Kirby Wilcox Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient
2010 - Annual Stanford Oncology Retreat Poster Session winner
2010 - National Lung Cancer Partnership Travel Grant recipient
Publications
Alternatives to Surgery for Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Ready for Prime Time?
Das, M., Abdelmaksoud, M. H. K., Loo, B. W., & Kothary, N. (2010). Alternatives to Surgery for Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Ready for Prime Time? CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ONCOLOGY, 11(1-2), 24–35.
Vascular Disrupting Agents
Das, M., & Wakelee, H. (2010). Vascular Disrupting Agents. JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY, 5(12), S482–S483.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors Das, M., & Wakelee, H. (2011). Angiogenesis Inhibitors. JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY, 6(11), S1801–S1802.
ERCC1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using a novel detection platform correlates with progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving platinum chemotherapy. Das, M., Riess, J. W., Frankel, P., Schwartz, E., Bennis, R., Hsieh, H. B., … Bruce, R. H. (2012). ERCC1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using a novel detection platform correlates with progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving platinum chemotherapy. Lung Cancer , 77(2), 421–426.
Originally Published April 14, 2019